Materials Performance: Corrosion Career Surveys

Every year Materials Performance magazine conducts its annual corrosion career and salary survey of NACE International members in the United States,Canada, and Europe, a continuing tradition that started with the first survey conducted in 1998.

The survey is a vehicle that allows NACE members to share current information on their education, work experience, job duties, and annual compensation. The results, which provide the latest details on demographics and salary levels for corrosion professionals in all fields of corrosion control, are extremely valuable to NACE members and the corrosion control community at large.

For corrosion professionals in the United States and United Kingdom, the results of this year’s annual corrosion career and salary survey sponsored by Materials Performance (MP) magazine are very positive. The average annual U.S. salary for 2017 rose again this year to reach a new high. This continues an upward trend that started in 2005. The most notable change is seen for the United Kingdom’s average annual salary, which increased more than 11% to reach its highest level since this group was added to the MP corrosion career survey in 2014. The 2017 average annual salaries calculated for Canada, and European countries using the Euro, are somewhat lower than last year’s. The average annual salaries are $118,369, for the United States, CAN$121,333 for Canada, €69,904 for Europe, and £85,320 for the United Kingdom.

The results of the 18th annual corrosion career and salary survey bring some good news for corrosion professionals in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom—the average annual salaries reported in 2016 for those regions rose slightly to reach new highs. This continues an upward trend previously seen for the United States and Canada for the past six years. The average annual salaries are $115,203 for the United States, CAN$126,907 for Canada, €73,000 for Europe, and £76,738 for the United Kingdom.

The 17th annual corrosion career and salary survey reports average annual salaries for corrosion professionals in the United States, Canada, European countries using the Euro (Europe), and the United Kingdom. The average annual salaries for the 2015 survey are $113,734 for the United States, CAN$121,538 for Canada, €76,147 for Europe, and £75,690 for the United Kingdom. Average annual salaries generally increased this year, although some decreases were noted.

The results of Materials Performance magazine’s annual corrosion career and salary survey for 2014 show a rise in average annual salaries for corrosion professionals in the United States and Canada, with new highs reached for these two groups, while the average annual corrosion career salary for the European Union countries using the Euro (Europe) decreased.

This year’s annual corrosion career survey results show a rise in average annual salaries for corrosion professionals in the United States, Canada, and European Union (EU) countries, with new highs reached for all three groups surveyed. Including salary and bonuses, the average annual U.S. compensation is $103,148, an increase of ~4.6%. The average annual Canadian taxable income this year is CAN $108,108, a slight increase (0.69%) over last year’s average annual salary. The average annual EU salary increased this year to €68,637, which is up by ~3.7% from last year’s reported average annual salary.

Corrosion professionals’ average annual salaries for the United States and Canada continued their upward trend and set new highs again this past year, with larger increases than those reported in 2011. In contrast, average annual salaries for corrosion professionals in Europe experienced a downturn. Including salary and bonuses, the average annual U.S. compensation is $98,384, up ~2.6% from 2011. The average annual Canadian taxable income is CAN$107,364, an increase of ~2.3% over last year’s average annual salary. The average annual European salary is €66,098, down ~1.8% from last year.

For the United States and Canada, average annual salaries continued their upward climb, although the 2011 increases were significantly smaller than those in 2010. Including salary and bonuses, the average annual U.S. compensation is $95,802, up ~0.08%, and the average annual Canadian taxable income is $104,917, an increase of ~1.5%. This year, salary survey data were collected from European members paid in Euros. The average annual European salary is €67,281.

Average annual salaries continued to climb upward in 2010, reaching a new high in both the United States and Canada and maintaining an upward trend experienced in both countries since 2005. Including salary and bonuses, the average annual U.S. compensation is $95,036, up 4.5% from last year, and the average annual Canadian taxable income is CAN$103,317, a 6.8% increase over the 2009 average salary.

Close to 1,300 members participated in this year’s survey, the 11th one conducted since its inception in 1998, and positive results were reported. Average annual salaries continue to climb upward, with years of experience resulting in higher average pay. Including salary and bonuses, the average annual U.S. compensation is $90,902 and the average annual Canadian taxable income is CAN$96,757 for 2009.

Now in its 10th year, this year’s survey revealed that average salaries in the United States and Canada are up slightly from last year, and have increased by nearly a third over the last decade. The 2008 U.S. average salary (including bonuses) for corrosion professionals is $88,354; the average Canadian compensation in taxable income is $94,357. This compares to last year’s results of $87,792 (U.S.) and CAN$92,592 (Canada).

When NACE conducted its first corrosion career survey in 1998, results showed that the average annual compensation for U.S. corrosion professionals was $66,420 (salary plus bonus). Since then, that number has steadily climbed—this year, the average salary is $87,792, representing a 24% increase over the past nine years. In 2002, NACE began surveying Canadian members as well. At that time, the average Canadian salary for corrosion professionals was CAN$76,330. This year, the survey revealed an average of CAN$92,594 per year in taxable.